Combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump



March 1950 DE wrr-r E. YATES 1 COMBINED TURBINE AND CENTRIFUGAL BOOSTER PUMP Filed Dec. 13, 1945 3 Sheds-Sheet 1 March 28, 1950 DE wrr'r E. YATES COMBINED TURBINE AND CEN'I'RIFUGAL BOOSTER PUMP 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D60. 13, 1945 March 1. DBWITT E. YATES 2, 02,2

cousmao TURBINE AND CSNTRIFUGAL BOOSTER PUMP Fiied Dec. 13, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTORJ Patented Mar. 28, 1950 COMBINED TURBINE AND CENTRIFUGAL BOOSTER PUMP De Witt E. Yates, Chippewa Falls, Wis., assignor to W. S. Darley & Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application December 13, 1945, Serial No. 634,641

1 Claim.

bined turbines and centrifugal pumps. More particularly the invention relates to that type of combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump which is designed and adapted to be used in connection with a main power driven centrifugal pump at an appreciable height or elevation above a source of Water, has a common drive shaft on which the rotor of the turbine and the impeller of the centrifugal booster pump are fixedly secured, and in addition, has the inlet of the casing for the turbine connected by a branch conduit to the outlet of the casing of the main centrifugal pump, and the outlet of the casing of the centrifugal booster pump con nected to the inlet of the casing of the main centrifugal pump, and serves when immersed in the source of water and in connection with drive of the main centrifugal pump after initial supply to the latter of make-up water from a booster or other tank to boost or pump water from the source up into the inlet of the casing of the main centrifugal pump.

One object of the inventionis to provide a combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump of this type which is an improvement upon, and has certain advantages over, previously designed combined turbines and centrifugal booster pumps and is characterized by compactness as well as simplicity of design and high operating efiiciency.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump in which the various component parts thereof are arranged in a novel manner to the end that the unit as a Whole has not only extremely high efficiency but also long life.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump of the type under consideration in which the turbine is of the inward flow variety and has the outlet thereof in direct communication with the interior of the casing of the centrifugal booster pump.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump which is generally of new and improved construction and, due to the arrangement and design of the component parts thereof, may be produced at a comparatively low cost.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel 2 features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claim at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is an elevational view showing a combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump em bodying the invention in connected or operative relation with a main power driven centrifugal pump and a booster tank for feeding water to the inlet of the casing of the main pump in connection with starting of the latter;

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump;

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2 and illustratingin detail the construction and design of the rotor and casing of the turbine; and

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 2 and illustrating in detail the construction, arrangement and design of the impeller and casing of the centrifugal booster pump.

The combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump that is shown in the drawings, constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is designed and adapted for use in connection with a main centrifugal pump 5 and a booster tank 6 and serves when immersed in a body or source of water at an appreciable distance beneath the main centrifugal pump 5 and in connection with drive of the latter pump to pump water from the source to the main centrifugal pump. It is contemplated that the main centrifugal pump 5 and the booster tank 6 may be mounted on a truck variety vehicle of the type used in fighting or putting out fires. The main centrifugal pump 5 comprises a volute casing I and a closed variety impeller (not shown) in the casing. The impeller of the main centrifugal pump is connected for drive by an axially disposed shaft (also not shown) which is driven by any suitable source of power, such, for example, as the engine of the vehicle on which the pump 5 is mounted. The casing 'l of the pump 5 embodies aninlet 8- in the central portion of the front wall thereof and has a substantially tangential outlet 9 in the portion of its side wall that has the greatest or maximum radius. \Vhen the main pump 5 is driven the impeller operates to suck liquid into the casing via the inlet 8 and then through the action of its blades to fling the liquid outwards under pressure so that it travels around the side wall of the casing and is finally discharged through the outlet 9, as well understood in the art. The inlet 8 of the main pump casing I has associated with it a T-fitting H1. One of the longitudinal branches of this fitting is connected to the casing inlet 8 and the other longitudinal branch of the fitting is provided with a control valve II. The booster tank 6 is disposed above the main centrifugal pump 5, as shown in Figure 1, and is adapted to contain a column of water for priming and feeding the main pump in connection with starting of the latter. The bottom of the booster tank 6 is connected to the transverse branch of the T- fitting l by way of a pipe l2 which has a control valve I3 therein. When the pump 5 is in operation the valve I3 is closed. In connection with starting of the main pump the valve I3 is opened. Upon opening of the valve water in the booster tank 6 flows into the pump casing via the pipe l2 and is then in response to the action of the impeller of the main pump discharged under pressure through the outlet 9 of the casing H. Said outlet 9 of the main centrifugal pump 5 associated with it a T-fitting I4. The transverse branch of this fitting is suitably connected to the outlet 9 and the longitudinal branches of the fitting are provided, respectively, with control valves 15 and IS. A hose I! is connected to, and leads from, the branch of the T-fitting it that includes the valve H5. The outer end of this hose is provided with a nozzle l8. When the main centrifugal pump 5 is in operation while the valve I5 is open water under pressure, as hereinafter described more in detail, is supplied to the hose [l and discharged through the medium of the nozzle l8.

The combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump serves, as heretofore pointed out, to boost or pump water from the source to the main centrifugal pump 5 during drive or operation of the latter. It is essentially a self contained unit and in connection with use thereof is adapted to be fully immersed in the source of water that is beneath, and serves as a liquid feed for, the main pump 5. As its main or principal components the combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump comprises a turbine 49, a centrifugal booster pump 20, a shaft 2!, and an inlet structure 22 for the centrifugal booster pump 28.

The turbine i9 is essentially of the inward flow type and comprises a volute casing 23 and a rotor 24 in the casing. The casing 23 consists of an outer end wall 25, an inner end wall it, and a side wall 2?. The outer end wall 25 of the volute casing 23 embodies a centrally dis-- posed comparatively large hole 23 and this is normally closed by way of a cap 29. The marginal portion of the cap fits against the hole defining portion of the outer end wall 25 and is removably secured in place by way of an an nular series of cap screws 30. The central portion of the cap embodies a cylindrical enlargemerit 31 and this has formed in the central portion thereof a longitudinal socket 32, the outer end of which is closed and the inner end of which is open. The inner end wall 25 of the turbine casing 23 is disposed in spaced relation with the outer end wall 25 and has an extremely large centrally disposed circular hole 33. The latter is concentrically positioned with respect to the hole 28 in the central portion of the outer end wall 25 and is materially greater in diameter than the latter hole. The side wall 21 of the turbine casing is spiral or volute in form and extends between, and is connected to, the outer margins of the outer and inner end walls and 26. A tangential nipple 34 is connected to, and formed integrally with, the portion of the casing side wall 2'? that is of maximum radius and forms the inlet for the turbine casing 23. Preferably the combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump is arranged so that during use thereof the shaft 2| extends horizontally and the inlet forming nipple 34 projects upwards, as shown in Figure 1. The outer or receiving end of the nipple 34 is connected by a flexible branch conduit 35 to the longitudinal branch of the T- fitting i i that embodies the valve it. It is contemplated that when the main centrifugal pump 5 is in operation the valve I6 will be partially opened in Order that a portion of the pumped water or pumpage will flow into and through the flexible conduit 35. The portion of the pumped water that flows through the conduit 35 enters the turbine casing I9 via the tangential inlet forming nipple 3 and flows or swirls around the volute side wall 23 in the form of an arc of decreasing radius.

The shaft 2! is disposed in concentric relation with respect to the turbine casing 23 and is arranged so that one end part thereof projects into the interior of the turbine casing through the large sized circular hole 33 in the inner end wall 26. The outer extremity of said one end part of the shaft 2| is journalled in a tubular bearing 36 in the socket 32 in the cylindrical enlargement 3| at the central portion of the cap 29. The portion of said one end part of the shaft 2i that is disposed immediately inwards of the journalled outer end extremity of said one end part of the shaft is provided with a ring shaped enlargement 31, the inner face of which is disposed in substantially the same plane as the inner face of the outer end wall 25 of the turbine casing 23,

The rotor 25 of the turbine is disposed in the casing 23 and consists of a circular outer shroud 33, a circular inner shroud 39 and an annular series of arcuate blades 40 between the two shrouds. The inner and outer shrouds are the same in size, as shown in Figure 2, and are of slightly less diameter than the hole 33 in the inner end wall 26 of the turbine casing 23. Preferably the component parts of the turbine rotor are formed integrally with one another in order that the rotor is of one-piece design. The outer shroud 38 is provided with an inwardly extend ing inwardly tapered hub 4| which extends around, and is keyed or otherwise fixedly secured to, that portion of the shaft 2| that is directly inwards of the ring shaped enlargement 37. The latter forms a shoulder which precludes outward displacement of the turbine impeller with respect to the shaft. In addition to the hub 41 the outer shroud 33 of the turbine rotor 24 is provided with an integral outwardly extending truly circular ring 42. The latter fits rotatably in the centrally disposed hole 28 in the outer end wall of the turbine casing 23. It is of greater diameter than the cylindrical enlargement 31 on the central portion of the cap 29 and defines with the inner end. of the enlargement 3|, the outer face of the hub 4| and the central portion of the cap 29, an annular pressure chamber 43. The inner shroud 39 of the turbine rotor 24 embodies on the central portion thereof an integral inwardly extending truly circular sealing ring 44 which is in concentric relation with, and the same in diameter as, the outwardly extending ring 42 on the outer shroud 38 and defines with the inner or small end of the turbine hub 4|, an inwardly extending annular outlet 45. The blades 40 between the outer and inner shrouds are arranged so that the inner ends thereof terminate adjacent the inwardly extending sealing ring 44. They are so angularly disposedwith respect to the center of the turbine rotor that when water under pressure is introduced into the casing 23 via the nipple 34 the water impinges against them, is directed in-- wards and produces rotation of the rotor 24 and the shaft 2|. The water after travelling inwards past the blades flows out of the turbine casing 23 via the annular outlet 45. Because of the manner or direction in which the water is discharged after passing the rotor blades 40 the rotor together with the shaft 2| is subjected to an end thrust in the direction of the cap 29. In order to eliminate or counteract such end thrust ports 46 are formed in the outer or large end of the hub 4|. These ports are disposed in parallel relation with the shaft 2|, effect communication between the pressure chamber 43 and the outlet 45 and result in a portion of the water that is directed inwards by the blades 40 flowing into the pressure chamber 43 and de veloping such pressure as to urge the rotor in wards and counteract outer end thrust of the rotor. Associated with, and forming a part of, the turbine 9 is a ring shaped partition 41. This partition forms, in effect, a part of the inner end wall 26 of the turbine casing 23 and embodies an axially extending ring shaped flange 48 on its outer margin and an axially extending ring shaped flange 49 on its inner margin. The flange 48 extends in the direction of the outer end Wall 25 of the casing 23 and fits snugly within the circular hole 33 in the inner end Wall 26 of the turbine casing. The flange 49 surrounds the truly circular sealing ring 44 on the inner portion of the inner shroud of the turbine rotor and extends in the same direction as the flange 48. In assembling the turbine IS the rotor 24 is inserted into the turbine casing prior to in sertion into place of the annular partition 41. In connection with operation of the main centrifugal pump a portion of the pumpage of such pump flows through the branch conduit 35 into the turbine casing 23. As heretofore pointed out, the water under pressure which enters the turbine casing via the nipple 34 is directed inwards past the blades 40 of the turbine rotor and, due to the shape-and angular arrangement of the blades, effects rotation of the'rotor 24 and the shaft 2|. As soon as the water passes the blades it is discharged from the turbine via the annular outlet 45 which is defined by the sealing ring 44 and the inner or small end of the hub 4|.

The centrifugal booster pump 20 is positioned in side by side relation with the turbine l9 and comprises a volute casing 50 and a closed variety impeller 5|.

The casing 50 consists of an inner end wall 52, an outer end wall 53 and a side wall 54 and is preferably in the nature or form of a onepiece casting. The inner end wall 52 fits against the inner end wall 26 of the turbine casing 23 and is secured in place by bolts or other connecting devices (not shown). It embodies a centrally disposed large sized hole 55 which is the same in diameter as the hole 33 in the inner end wall 36 of the turbine casing and surrounds the puter margin of the annular partition 41. Said partition is provided at the outer margin thereof with an outwardly extending ring shaped rib 56 which fits snugly within an annular groove 51 in the hole defining portion of the inner end wall 52 of the pump casing 50. As shown in Figure 2 the annular partition 41 is fixedly secured in place when the inner end wall 52 of the pump casing is secured in place against the inner end wall 26 of the turbine casing 23. The annular partition 41 forms, in effect, a continuation or part of the inner end wall 53. The outlet 45 of the turbine is in communication with the central portion of the interior of the pump casing 50. The outer end wall 53 of the pump casing is disposed in laterally spaced relation with respect to the inner end wall 52 and embodies a centrally disposed circular hole 58. A ring 59 is bolted or otherwise fixedly secured to the outer face of the outer end wall 53 of the pump casing and is disposed in concentric relation with the circular hole 58. The inner margin of the ring 59- is providedwith an integral inwardly extending annular flange 60 which fits within the hole 58 and defines a central inlet for the centrifugal booster pump 20. The side Wall 54 of the pump casing is vo-lute or spiral in form and extends between, and is connected to, the outer margins of the inner and outer end walls 52 and 53. A tangentially extending nipple 6| is connected to, and formed integrally with, the portion of the casing side wall 54 that is of maximum radius and forms the pump outlet. As shown in Figure 4, the nipple 6| extends in the same direction as the nipple 34 but is located on the opposite side of the shaft 2|. The nipple 6| is connected by a flexible conduit 62 to the longitudinal branch of the T-fitting ID that has the valve When the combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump is in operation the water which is pumped by the booster pump flows upwards through the flexible conduit 62 into the inlet 8 of the casing 1 of the main power driven centrifugal pump 5.

The other end part of the shaft 2|, i. e., the part that is opposite the part that extends through the turbine casing 23 and carries the turbine rotor 24, extends centrally through the pump casing 50 and embodies at its outer end a reduced stem 63. The latter projects outwards through the inlet for the pump casing 50 and is journallecl in a bearing 64 which, as shown in Figure 2, is carried by, and fits snugly within, a cup shaped member 65. Such member is in coaxial relation with the shaft 2|. It is of materially less diameter than the diameter of the inlet for the pump casing and embodies a plu rality of outwardly extending arms 66, the outer ends of which extend inwards and are formed integrally with the ring 59. A thrust bearing in the form of a truly spherical ball 61 serves to prevent displacement of the shaft 2| outwards with respect to the casing 50 of the centrifugal booster pump 26. The ball 61 is located in the outer end of the cup shaped member 65 and is interposed between a pair of discs 58, one of which is located at the outer extremity of the reduced stem 63 and the other of which is located inthe outer end of the bearing 64.

The impeller 5| of the centrifugal booster pump 20 is preferably in the form of a one-piece casting and comprises an inner shroud 69, an outer shroud 10 and an annular series of arcuate blades 1| between the two shrouds. It is positioned between, and in spaced relation with, the inner and outer end walls 52 and 53 of the pump casing 50. The inner shroud69. is provided at pump 25.

the central portion. thereof with an axial. elongated hub I2. The latter surrounds and is keyed or otherwise. fixedly secured. to the adjacent,.por tion of the shaft 2!, as shown in Figure 2. The inner end of the hub I2 is outwardly tapered. and abuts against, and is: the same in diameter as, the outer or small end of the hub 41 of the turbine rotor 24.. The outer end of the hub I2 is outwardly tapered and terminates adjacent the inner end of the reduced stem 63. A nut I3 on: a screw thread-at the inner end of the stem serves to clamp the hub 52 of the impeller against the hub 4| of the turbine. rotor. As shown in Figure- 2 the two hubs are clamped between the ring shaped enlargement 31 and the nut. I3. The outer shroud E6 of the pump impeller 5! is provided with a centrally disposed outwardly extending cylindrical sealing ring I4 which fits rotatably in the inwardly extending annular flange 60 on the inner margin of the ring 59. When the centrifugal booster pump is in operation as the result of drive of the turbine rotor water is drawn or sucked into the central portion of the impeller interior by way of the central inlet in the pump casing 55 and is then flung outwards under pressure by the blades H against the side wall 54 of the pump casing. Because of the shape or volute character of the side wall the water travels around the side wall and is then discharged via the tangential discharge nipple 6 i.

The inlet structure 22 is. essentially an auxiliary inlet unit or device for the centrifugal booster It comprises a cup-shaped element I5 and a check valve I5. The element I5 extends around and serves to house the cup shaped member 55 for the bearing 64 and consists of a circular end wall I! and a cylindrical side wall I8. The end wall II- of the cup shaped element I5 extends normally vertically and is located outwards of the arm equipped cup shaped member 65. It embodies large sized centrally disposed circular opening 53 for permitting water to flow into the cup shaped element 55 and thence into the casing 5% of the centrifual booster pump via the inlet which is defined by the inwardly extending annular flange 6!! on the inner margin of the ring 59. The cylindrical side wall I8 of the cup shaped element I5 is connected to, and extends inwards from, the outer margin of the end wall 11 and embodies at its inner end an integral outwardly extending annular flange to which surrounds the ring 59 and is bolted'or otherwise fixedly secured to the outer end wall 53 of the pump casing 55. The check-valve I6 is mounted in the cup shaped element I5 and is supported by a stem 8 I and a spider 82 so that it is slidable outwards and inwards into and out of a, closed position wherein it serves to seal or close the circular opening I9 in the end wall 11 of the element '25. The stem 8! is fixedly secured to, and extends outwards from, the central portion of the valve and is slidably mounted in a bore83 in the central portion of the spider 82. Such spider is disposed outwards of the end wall E1 of the cup shaped element I5 and has the outer ends of its arms connected to said end wall II. A compression spring 84 between the outer end of" the cup shaped member 65 and the central portion'of the valve I5 urges the valve into its closed position. The purpose'of' the check valve is to seal off the water inlet of the pump casing when the main centrifugal pump 5 is stopped and thus prevent back-flow of water in the flexible conduits 35 and 62. When the combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump is in operation due to. drive or operation of the main pump 5 the check valve I5 is unseated as a result of the; suction which is created in the cup shaped element I5. As soon as the main pump 5 is stopped the compression spring 84 slides. the check valve into its closed position wherein it closes the circular opening IS in the end wall 11 of the element I5. A cup shaped strainer 85 surrounds the inlet structure 22, as shown in Figure 2. The free margin of the side. wall of the strainer extends around and is suitably secured to the outwardly extending flange 80 on the inner end of the cylindrical side wall I8 of the element 11.

When it is desired to use the combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump it is immersed in the. source of water to be pumped. As soon as the unit is immersed in the water source the valve [3 is opened and the main pump 5 is then set in operation. Opening of the valve I3 results in water flowing from the booster tank, then into the inlet of the casing I of the main pump, and also into the flexible conduit 62. As soon as the main pump starts to operate a portion of the pumped water flows through the flexible conduit 35 into the turbine casing 23. Entry of water under pressure into the casing 23 results in drive of the turbine rotor 24 and resultant drive of the impeller 5| of the centrifugal booster pump 20. As soon as the booster pump 20 is set in operation water is drawn into the booster pump casing 50 and is forced under pressure into the casing I of the main centrifugal pump 5' via the flexible conduit 62. In the event of stoppage of the main pump the check valve I6 in response to the action of the compression spring 84 moves into its closed position wherein it seals or closes the opening I9 and this looks the water in the turbine casing 23, the booster pump casing 58 and the conduits 35 and 62. In connection with operation of the combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump the water which is used to drive the turbine l9 flows from the outlet of the turbine into the casing of the booster pump 20 from whence it is discharged under pressure into the casing of the'main pump 5 via the flexible conduit 62.

The herein described combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump, due to the design, construction and arrangement of the parts thereof, is compact as well as highly eflicient in operation. It is essentially a self contained unit, has an extremely long life and is capable of being produced at a low or reasonable cost.

As heretofore indicated, the subject combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump has special utility in connection with fire fighting equipment which is mounted on a truck variety vehicle and includes a power driven main pump and a booster tank.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claim without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A combined turbine and centrifugal booster pump unit adapted when in use to extend horizontally and comprising an inward flow variety turbine embodying a volute casing consisting of laterally spaced outer and inner end walls and a volute side wall between the two end walls, having the portion of its side wall that is of maximum radius located at one side of the unit and provided with an upwardly projecting tangential fluid inlet, and having a large sized circular opening in its inner end wall, and also embodying a blade equipped rotor disposed in the casing, of slightly less diameter than, and in concentric relation with, the large sized opening in the end wall of the turbine casing, and adapted in response to flow of fluid into the casing to revolve and at the same time direct fluid towards the center of the casing and thence laterally in the direction of the inner end wall of the casing;

a centrifugal booster pump disposed in side by side relation with the turbine and embodying a volute casing consisting of an inner end wall positioned against and secured to the inner end wall of the turbine casing and having in its central portion a large sized circular opening of substantially the same diameter as, and in registry with, the opening in the inner end wall of the turbine casing, an outer end wall in spaced relation with the inner end wall of the pump casing and with a central fluid inlet, and a volute side wall extending between the outer margins of the inner and outer end walls of the pump casing and having the portion thereof that is of maximum radius located at the other side of the unit and provided with an upwardly projecting tangential fluid outlet, and also embodying a closed impeller disposed in the pump casing in coaxial relation with the turbine rotor and in spaced relation with the end walls of said pump casing, consisting of an inner imperforate hub equipped shroud adjacent one end of the pump casing, an outer centrally apertured shroud adjacent said other end of the pump casing and an annular series of blades between the two shrouds, and adapted in response to drive to draw fluid through the fluid inlet in the outer end wall of 10 the pump casing and to force the fluid under pressure out of the pump casing via the last mentioned outlet; a ring shaped partition disposed between the two casings, and having the outer margin thereof fitting within and clamped between the opening defining portions of the inner end walls of the two casings and its inner margin defining an outlet for the turbine casing leading directly into the central portion of the interior of the pump casing, and a common shaft extending centrally through the ring shaped partition, having one portion thereof disposed in the central portion of the turbine casing and having the turbine rotor mounted fixedly thereon, and having another portion disposed centrally within the pump casing and having the hub of the inner shroud of the pump impeller mounted fixedly thereon.

DE WITT E. YATES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 932,240 Beale, et a1 Aug. 24, 1909 1,197,755 Moller Sept. 12, 1916 1,610,454 Lawaczeck Dec. 14, 1926 2,083,167 Lamere June 8, 1937 2,385,730 Read Sept. 25, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 144,091 Switzerland Mar. 2, 1931 159,486 Switzerland Mar. 16, 1933 347,796 Germany Jan. 27, 1922 

